Kitesurfing no longer has anything to prove; just take a walk along the Pacific on a windy day and you’ll inevitably see dozens of kiteboards speeding across Nouméa’s lagoon! For the speed, for the tricks, and for the simple pleasure of flying across the surface of the water: practitioners have their own leitmotifs and aren’t going to wait for you to join in.

With its fusion of French and authentic Malenesian culture, New Caledonia is a food lover's heaven. Expect to see baguettes and gooey French cheeses sold alongside coconuts and yams at the local market – the tropical and Gallic blend of influences makes the island such a delicious mouth-watering destination for foodies.

Nouméa, the capital city of New Caledonia is on the ocean. Several bays extend along the city, providing magnificent beaches and points of view. Besides its natural features, Nouméa also has very attractive cultural offerings for tourists who choose to visit there.

From Ouvéa to the Isle of Pines, passing through Lifou, Tiga and Maré, the five islands bordering the Mainland, Grande Terre to the East are yet more gems to discover. From the blue hole of Hanawa at Ouvéa to the Warrior’s Leap at Wakone on Maré, via the Jokin Cliffs at Lifou or the Oro Bay on the Isle of Pines, let yourself be amazed!

The West Coast of the mainland (Grande Terre) shows off a great variety of scenery from its northern tip down to the area surrounding Nouméa. Characterised by both large spaces favouring cattle farming and a lagoon of stunning beauty, the West Coast is also host to a rich cultural heritage.

The central mountain range of the Mainland (Grande Terre) is a natural boundary, overlooking the very different faces of the East and West Coasts. Exposed to strong winds and therefore more humid, the eastern coast offers scenery with sumptuous flora. With a population of largely Melanesian origin, the East Coast has also retained a particularly charming flavour of authenticity.

The Great South, comprising the Mont-Dore and Yaté municipalities, is the most symbolic region for New Caledonia’s three main colours: blue, green and red. From the rainforest to the mining lands there are a thousand shades of green, while the ocean offers a dazzling palette of blues. But if one colour dominates the Great South, it is the specific red of its ground.

Food festivals galore

Celebrate New Caledonia’s wonderful produce, with one of the many food focused events and colourful festivals that take place throughout the year around Grand Terre and the Islands.

Adding one of these fantastic events to your New Caledonia holiday is a great way to experience the unique and dynamic culture of the destination. Take your holiday to the next level by experiencing valuable insights into local life and traditions.

The festival marks the beginning of the yam harvest, and is the most important event in the Kanak calendar. When the yams are declared ready by the elders, they are pulled up and presented to the older clansmen and the chief, signalling the beginning of the harvest. The yams are blessed the following day by the priest, then distributed among the villagers.

April

Giant Omelette Festival, Par Fayard

Held annually, during the second weekend following Easter, this festival features the making of a giant omelette to commemorate Napoleon’s army being fed omelette by Southern French villagers, as a show of charity during wartime. Around a dozen chefs make a huge 3.5 metre diameter omelette using some 7,000 eggs, which is then shared by everyone.

Held in April, the Avocado Festival has become one of the most important cultural events in New Caledonia for two reasons; it places a high value on the work of the agricultural community; and secondly offers the possibility of a home stay experience within the tribe. Numerous leisure activities, tastings, music and traditional dances are held to celebrate the avocado.

June

Cheese Festival

Enjoy a great taste of France! The “French Cheese Festival” is an amazing buffet with over 130 cheese specialties presented by a “Maître fromagier” or cheese master. For over 20 years, award-winning French cheese masters visit Noumea to share their incredible knowledge and tastings of an amazing variety of speciality French cheeses and wines.

This festival celebrates the natural and marine heritage of the island, promoting all sea produce, while raising awareness about environmental conservation, particularly of the lagoon. Musical groups, dance troops, fishing competition, seafood tasting, water sport activities and many other entertainments take place during this festival.

The agricultural and craft fair of Bourail, a small town on the West Coast of New Caledonia, is held each year during the weekend around August 15. Each stand combines a convivial and entertaining atmosphere with a showcase of the best authentic local products available. From stock-car racing, motocross, tasting of local specialties, sheep dogs, wood chopping, horse riding, the very popular rodeo to the Miss Bourail Agricultural Fair pageant, are all held throughout the three day programme. For those who dream of exploring the New Caledonia far west, the Bourail Agricultural Fair is one event not to be missed.

August

Coffee Festival Sarraméa

The coffee plantation in Sarraméa, just north of Nouméa, is worth checking out. The 670 acre farm is located at the foot of the Dogny Plateau. The former French President Jacques Chirac loved the coffee so much that he insisted on having it flown to Paris for his personal use.

September

Gastronomy Festival

The Gastronomy festival will offer up a fusion of French and Melanesian cuisine, featuring local delicacies, produce and a French flare all over New Caledonia.

Lifou is world renowned for the quality of product with one of the most popular being the vanilla plantations, which is used widely in New Caledonian cooking. Throughout the Vanilla Festival, visitors can experience choral singing, Kaneka concerts, traditional dancing, vanilla plantation visits, guided hikes, and the Miss Lifou Tourism pageant

At this vibrant event festival expect live rodeo, French cowboys, livestock demonstrations and food tastings – including New Caledonia’s famous “brochettes” or kebabs which will delight the senses. Other highlights of the festival on offer include helicopter tours affording panoramic aerial views of the lagoon, vintage car exhibition, arts and crafts, pony rides, markets and tours of the Paita Villa-Museum.

The Festival of the Sea is devoted to marine produce including lobster, fresh and smoked fish and shellfish. Watch fish smoking demonstrations, traditional and modern dance groups or participate in weaving contests, coconut peeling or an introduction to spear shooting. The festival also includes fishing contests, football tournaments and hiking tours.